StarTech QSFP4X10GAO7 40GbE QSFP active optical breakout cable
Overview
The StarTech QSFP4X10GAO7 is an active optical breakout cable designed to split a single 40GbE QSFP+ port into four independent 10GbE SFP+ connections. It is used in high-density data center environments where port aggregation and efficient bandwidth distribution are required between switches, servers, and top-of-rack infrastructure.
This cable delivers up to 40 Gbps aggregate throughput (4×10GbE) over fiber, with a factory-terminated active optical design that reduces signal loss and supports longer distances compared to passive DAC alternatives. It is hot-swappable and compliant with MSA standards, ensuring compatibility with Cisco and other MSA-compliant networking equipment.
Deployment is typically across racks or within data center rows where QSFP+ uplinks must fan out to multiple SFP+ endpoints. It is suitable for spine-leaf architectures, switch stacking, and server interconnects. Not suitable for short-reach passive DAC use cases, non-SFP+/QSFP+ interfaces, or environments requiring modular transceivers instead of fixed AOC assemblies.
Key Features
- Converts 40GbE QSFP+ to 4x 10GbE SFP+ links
- Active optical cable supports longer reach than DAC
- Hot-swappable design minimizes network downtime
- MSA compliant for multi-vendor interoperability
- Lightweight flexible fiber for dense rack routing
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